Academic Program Assessment
Degrees and Certificates
Academic degree and certificate program assessment is an ongoing process designed to monitor and improve student learning at the program (e.g., degree or certificate) level. Programs describe their assessment-related activities in annual reports due June 30th each year. Among other things, these reports help programs emphasize how student learning is measured in their program, and discuss any changes in curricula, policy, or programming that were implemented as a result of these assessment efforts. Academic program assessment does not evaluate individual students, faculty, or courses.
The Assessment Cycle
Academic Program Assessment: Planning
Our unit has conducted workshops to assist degree and certificate programs with the assessment planning process. The presentations from these workshops are available below.
We are also happy to meet individually with programs about planning or improving their assessment process. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please email Bethany Bodo or call 540-231-6003.
For more specific information explaining each component of the assessment process, please refer to the workshop presentations and handouts posted below.
Workshops
Creating a Manageable, Effective, and Sustainable Program Assessment Plan
This workshop details how academic programs can design manageable, effective, and sustainable assessment plans. The presentation provides a step-by-step process for setting up an assessment plan.
Assessing Credentialed Certificate Programs
This workshop provides a brief introduction to the assessment requirements for certificate programs, including descriptions of all the necessary components.
Assessment Handouts
- What is Assessment, Why Should Programs Do Assessment, and What Are the Institutional Requirements for Assessment?
- Creating an Academic Program Mission Statement
- What Is the Difference Between a Student Learning Outcome and a Program Outcome?
- Appropriate Measures for Student Learning Outcomes vs. Program Outcomes
- Developing Targets and Reporting Findings for Academic Programs
- Distinguishing Between Degree Programs via Student Learning Outcomes and Targets
- Closing the Loop
- What is the Difference between Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes?
Academic Program Assessment: Reporting
Each academic degree and certificate program should report assessment findings by June 30 of each year. Blank reporting templates for both degree and certificate programs are provided below, along with an example of a completed report for an academic degree program.
- Reporting Template: Undergraduate & Graduate Degree Programs
- Reporting Template: Certificate Programs
- Completed Report Example
Reporting Requirements
Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs are asked to report on the following:
A total of 5 to 8 student learning outcomes and 2 to 3 program outcomes
- All outcomes should be listed in the reporting template along with corresponding measures and targets.
- Findings and comments on findings should also be included for at least 2 to 3 student learning outcomes and 1 to 2 program outcomes annually.
- An action plan should be provided for at least one student learning outcome each year, even if all targets were met.
Certificate programs are asked to report on the following:
A total of 2 to 4 student learning outcomes and 1 to 2 program outcomes
- All outcomes should be listed in the reporting template along with corresponding measures and targets.
- Findings and comments on findings should also be included for at least 1 student learning outcome and 1 program outcome annually.
If you need additional assistance or information, please feel free to email Bethany Bodo or call 231-6003.